Main Dutch imports from China include furniture products, clothing items, electronic gadgets, plastics and vehicles. Businesses choose Chinese suppliers due to the availability of these goods at highly affordable prices.
So, shipping from China to Netherlands will also be a win-win situation for you if you understand the details mentioned in this guide.
Steps For Shipping From China To Netherlands
When you ship products from China to the Netherlands, you will have to do the below mentioned things in order to avoid any complications.
1. Understand The Rules & Regulations Regarding Import
Before importing anything in Netherlands from China, it is necessary to get all the data regarding European import laws. You must have a clear photo of the import policy. Rules and regulations change dramatically, so you should be updated about the current rules. Some items are prohibited for import in Dutch cities.
Some items need special cargo, so you need to know the shipping requirements for special items.
- For example, if you import seafood to your Netherlands location, you are responsible for maintaining the temperature.
- For non-European products, 21% VAT is applied besides the other taxes. Govt consent is also needed in special cases when importing products from outside Europe.
2. Study The Market in Both Countries
The Netherlands is one of the most important European countries. You can have the latest knowledge of the European market before indulging in importing from Chinese manufacturers.
Get some data about the usage of your targeted product in Netherlands and its competitive price. Then calculate the final cost by adding all the expenses including shipping, duties, etc.
You can also get a better idea from online platforms like Alibaba and other business websites. Always choose the product by considering its HS category, usage, sensitivity, and long-term benefits. Don’t indulge in products that require complex documentation and difficult customs processes.
3. Select The Right Supplier in China
A Chinese supplier will be your ultimate stakeholder and the backbone of the whole import process to the Netherlands. Finding the right supplier is important for reducing your manufacturing cost. It is also vital to get a quality product for your Dutch customers. You can get the supplier through so many ways, like searching on platforms like Alibaba and other B2B websites.
Alibaba gives a verification badge to the supplier. You can also check the reviews and number of successful deals there. China also holds regular fairs in their business hubs, where major suppliers from the region participate. Therefore, you can visit these fairs to get top suppliers across the country.
4. Negotiate With The Supplier & Place the Order
This step is so important in defining the future trends of your import process. You should have a written agreement with your Chinese supplier regarding quality, manufacturing time, and incoterms. Also, be aware of your responsibilities and rights in shipping to Netherlands.
The timely placement of orders also plays a vital role in defining the cost and production time. Manufacturers normally give quotations that remain valid for 15-30 days. So delaying orders will cause an increase in the final cost. Your supplier must comply with the Netherlands Govt requirements, so select it wisely.
5. Choose the Method of Shipping Wisely
There are plenty of options to ship from China to Netherlands. You can import products through sea freight, air freight, or rail freight. While deciding the shipping method, it is important to know your priorities regarding the import process. Your product’s nature also plays a role in defining the shipping method.
If your products have low margins, then you must opt for cost-effective ways to ship.
- Sea freight is the most economical option to bring your products to any destination in the Netherlands.
- On the other hand, if you need products in less time, then air freight is the most suitable option. Some temperature-sensitive products are always shipped through airplanes.
6. Select a Chinese Freight Forwarding Company
A reputable freight forwarder like Bansarship in China reduces your workload by 50% or more. Choose a freight forwarding company wisely. We will be responsible for carrying your goods from the factory outlet in China to your desired final destination in Netherlands.
Your freight forwarder must have prior experience in shipping products to Europe. They need to know the rules and regulations of the importing country. It should comply with the European Union standards and follow the ISM to reduce accidents and sea pollution. This way, you will receive your products in the Netherlands without any hassle.
7. Customs Clearance in China
China has a flexible export policy, so it is easy to pass through the customs clearance phase for Dutch businesses. It is the responsibility of your freight forwarding company to clear the customs process in both the Netherlands and China.
Sometimes, you also hire customs brokers for this purpose, who are efficient in the documentation and legal processes.
You need an export declaration to the Chinese Customs who confirm your import to Netherlands. You should submit all the important documents including an agreement between the seller and the buyer. Data about the supplier in China is also required.
Sea Freight and its Cost
Ocean freight is the most common method of shipping from China to Netherlands. Its cost is lower than all other shipping modes. You can import your products either in the form of FCL (full container load) or LCL (less than a container load).
| Shipping Mode | Cost |
| FCL (Full Container Load) 40 Foot | $3100 – $3500 |
| FCL (Full Container Load) 20 Foot | $1800 – $2000 |
| LCL (Less Container Load) | 5 USD per cubic feet |
Factors Affecting Sea Freight Price
Some crucial factors need to be considered while deciding to ship your products through the sea routes from China to the Netherlands.
Weather Conditions: You can not predict the exact weather conditions on ocean routes. So, any unexpected incident might happen during shipping.
Peak Time: Your shipment cost from China to the Netherlands can be increased during Chinese New Year celebrations and from July to September. Keep this aspect in mind while getting quotes and importing products from China.
Port Management: Sometimes your shipments are delayed due to mismanagement at ports. During peak season, ports are congested, and shipments are delayed. LCL shipments take extra time because of more hard work.
Customs Delays: Delays in shipments can also be due to delays in the customs process of both countries. If your documentation is not completed, you will have to face the music.
Important Sea Ports in China and the Netherlands
Following seaports are used by most companies to do trading between these two countries.
Chinese Ports
- Shanghai Port: It is one of the biggest ports in the world. A backbone in Chinese export and import from all parts of the world.
- Shenzhen Port: The second busiest port in China. It is used to export products, especially electronics items from China to Europe.
- Guangzhou Port: The biggest port in South China. It plays a major role in importing from China to the Netherlands.
Netherlands Ports
- Port of Rotterdam: It is the biggest port in the Netherlands regarding trade volume and shipping facilities. Around 80% of Holland’s trade is carried through this port. Shipments can be sent to the whole of Europe through this port.
- Port of Amsterdam: Another main port in the North Netherlands trade journey. It is the 14th busiest port in Europe. Manages approximately 63 million tons of trade every year.
- Port of Zeeland: It is also located on the north side. 3rd biggest port of the Netherlands.
Air Freight and its Cost
Air freight is the fastest shipping of your worthy goods from China to the Netherlands using airplanes. If you are doing e-commerce or need products for a specific event, then air freight is the most suitable option. Although it costs high, you will find it the safest way to carry your products to all Netherlands regions from China.
| Mode of Shipping | Cost |
| Air Freight | $4 to $8 per kg |
Its cost depends on so many factors, like size, nature of the product and final destination airport in your desired city of Netherlands. Air shipping cost is calculated by volumetric weight of your cargo.
There is a formula to calculate volumetric weight, in which we multiply the height, width, and length of the package. Then we divide the total by 6000, and the result is our volumetric weight.
Suppose you have a package having dimensions 20cm, 30cm, and 40cm. So you will multiply them (20*30*40/6000)= 4 kg. Air freight companies charge with this formula.
Rail Freight and its Cost
Rail is a trustworthy mode of shipping through railway lines of Netherlands and China. If you need products but are also afraid of delay, then train/rail is the most reliable way to import. Rail provides speed with cost cutting. It will cost you less than air freight and transit time is less than sea freight. You can bring products in Dutch locations either in the FCL or LCL form.
| Mode of Shipping | Price Range |
| Rail Freight (FCL) | From $7000 to $11000 |
| Rail Freight (LCL) | From $4000 to $6000 |
You can not ship some sensitive products through rail including electronics, powders, weapons, and liquids. Most rail freight facilities end in Germany, so you have to make arrangements to bring it to the Netherlands.
DDP and its Estimated Price
DDP is also known as door-to-door delivery. It is the most convenient way of bringing your products in the Netherlands without any hassle. Here, we will pick your products from the door of your Chinese supplier or manufacturer and deliver right at the door of your desired location in the Netherlands.
In this mode of shipping, you have to pay all the customs duties and taxes in advance. DDP can be done through different modes, like you can use sea freight, air freight, or rail freight.
Normally it costs you around $1.8-$7.6 per kg through air freight. If you need products in small quantities with full protection, then it should be your mode of choice.
| DDP Route | Weight Range | Cost |
| DDP Through Sea Freight | <45kg | $2.05 per kg |
| <100kg | $1.90 per kg | |
| <500kg | $1.90 per kg | |
| DDP Through Air Freight | <45kg | $7.6 per kg |
| <100kg | $7.40 per kg | |
| <500kg | $7.40 per kg | |
| DDP Through Road Freight | <45kg | $3.05 per kg |
| <100kg | $2.95 per kg | |
| <500kg | $2.70 per kg | |
| DDP Through Rail Freight | <45kg | $2.13 per kg |
| <100kg | $1.95 per kg | |
| <500kg | $1.83 per kg |
Express Shipping
Express shipping services from China are used in case of emergency or to fulfill a commitment for your Netherlands customers. Some international courier companies including FedEx, USP, EMS, and TNT offer express delivery services.
In express shipping, you get the products on your doorstep in the shortest period. By shortest time, we mean transportation of goods in any place in Netherlands in literally 1 to 2 or maximum 3 days.
Although it is the most costly option as well, it will cost you around $5-$10 per kg. This mode of delivery is used for small quantities and highly sensitive products.
Transit Times To Import From China To Netherlands
When shipping from China to Netherlands, each option will transport your products in a different time-frame. Our estimations are as follows so you get the timely delivery of your goods in Dutch locations.
| Shipping Mode | Transit Time |
| Ocean Freight | 25-40 days |
| Air Freight | 5-7 days |
| Express Shipping | 1-3 days |
| Rail Freight | 15-25 days |
| DDP Sea Freight | 29-35 days |
| DDP Air Freight | 4-6 days |
| DDP Road Freight | 13-14 days |
| DDP Rail Freight | 16-20 days |
Well, most companies wish to receive their cargo through ocean routes from China to the Netherlands. If you choose Bansarship, we can deliver your products from China to any Dutch city according to this schedule.
| Loading Port in China | Netherlands Arrival Port | Delivery Time |
| Shenzhen | Rotterdam | 24 to 26 days |
| Ningbo | Rotterdam | 27 to 28 days |
| Tianjin | Rotterdam | Approx 35 days |
| Dalina | Rotterdam | 32 to 34 days |
| Shanghai | Rotterdam | 30 days |
| Guangzhou | Rotterdam | 26 to 28 days |
| Qingdao | Rotterdam | 30 to 32 days |
| Xiamen | Rotterdam | Approx 26 days |
Documents For Shipping From China To Netherlands
To import products in the Netherlands, some documents are necessary.
Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
It is a vital document that shows all the necessary details about shipment. Bill of lading is a kind of receipt at the Netherlands destination port by the shipping company. A kind of contract between a shipper from China and the carrier. It possesses all the shipping details, along with goods information. In the case of air freight, it is called an airway bill.
Packing List
A very important document indeed carrying all the necessary information about your products. It reveals the quantity and category of each product purchased from a Chinese manufacturer or supplier. If you have a proper packing list, your customs clearance becomes so easy at Dutch and China ports.
Commercial Invoice
This document is vital in the import process. It is an invoice delivered by a supplier of China like Alibaba. Here, you will see all the information regarding the product’s nature, type, and cost. You should have a commercial invoice for the clearance process in Netherlands.
Certificate of Origin
If the country of origin (China in your case) is mentioned clearly, this origin certificate helps the Customs Department to define duty on it. For example, less duty is imposed on Chinese electronic items. If the COO is properly maintained, then you can benefit by showing it to the authorities.
Special Parameters For European Import
If you are importing products into the European market, you should consider some important points.
Certificate of Conformity
It is a consent paper to enter your products in Netherlands or any European market. You can not complete the import process until you don’t have this certificate. This certificate shows that your products are up to the mark according to European standards. Europe has set some safety and health standards for import products, so you need this to enter.
EORI (Economic Operator Registration Identification) Number
To import in Europe or any city of Netherlands, your business should have an EORI number. This number is an identification of your business in the trading world. If you don’t have this number, you can hire a registered company like us to show this number and get paid.
Customs Duties in the Netherlands
The Netherlands imposes 21% VAT on all non-European products. Customs duties depend on the HS codes of the products as well.
| Product | VAT | Customs Duty |
| Agriculture items | 9% | 0 to 17% |
| Electronic products | 21% | 0 to 14% |
| Textile | 21% | 9 to 12% |
| Footwear | 21% | 3 to 18% |
Prohibited Products to Ship From China to Netherlands
You can not import some products in Europe from China.
- Narcotics: Drugs are not allowed for importing to the Netherlands because they cause sedation, or come under the narcotics category.
- Endangered Animal Species: You can’t import animals or plant species from China to Netherlands that are near to extinction.
- Weapons: This category requires special permissions from the defense ministry of the Netherlands, so it is prohibited also.
- Dairy and Meat: Generally European countries don’t encourage the import of such products from non-European countries.
Wrapping It Up
We hope you have found this detailed guide helpful for shipping from China to the Netherlands. We can help you in transporting your cargo through ocean, airplane, railway and door to door delivery from Chinese origin to Dutch destinations. Contact us now to discuss our easy to follow process.
